21st October 2015 is the 6th Foundation Anniversary of All India BSNL DOT Pensioners Association (AIBDPA), the vanguard Pensioners’ Association of the retired BSNL and DOT employees. It was formed on 21st October 2009  in the National Convention held at Garhwal Bhawan, New Delhi. The decision was taken to form the Association well in advance after thorough discussion at various levels so that the organisation is formed in a very democratic manner.

The National Convention was inaugurated by Comrade M.K.Pandhe, President of CITU and veteran leader of  the working class. It was addressed by Comrade S.K.Vyas, Secretary General of National Co-Ordination Committee of  Pensioners’ Association (NCCPA), which is the prime association of the Central government pensioners.

The background preparations and the need for such an organisation was explained in his key note address by Com. V.A.N.Nambodiri, General Secretary, BSNLEU, who took the major initiative for calling the convention. The Constitution of the association was presented and explained by Com. P.V.Chandrasekharan, veteran P and T Union leader. After detailed and thorough discussion by the hundreds of delegates present, the All India BSNL DOT Pensioners Association was born. Office-bearers were elected with Coms. V.A.N.Namboodiri (Advisor), P.V.Chandrasekharan (Patron), A.K.Bhattacharjee (President), K.G.Jayaraj (General Secretary) and M.L.Tiwari (Treasurer).

During the last 6 years of its existence, AIBDPA has grown and is now the biggest and most militant organisation of the BSNL and DOT Pensioners. It has got units almost everywhere in India and has a large membership and active leaders. It has organised many agitations on the demands of the Pensioners and had been part of the agitations of the BSNL employees.

AIBDPA is affiliated to the Trade Union International (Pensioners and Retirees), the international organisation of pensioners which is part of World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) and Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri, is a Member of its Technical Committee. AIBDPA is also affiliated to the NCCPA, the Co-ordination Committee of the Central Pensioners Associations. Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri is its Patron since inception and Com.K.G.Jayaraj is its Organizing Secretary.

AIBDPA has organised many militant struggles and campaigns on the issues of the Pensioners, including Parliament Marches, Sanchar Bhawan March,Hunger strike,Conventions, dharnas, demonstrations etc. several times.

Its first Triennial Conference was held at Kannur (Kerala) in February,2013 and the second triennial AIC is to be held by February 2016 at Tirupathi in A.P., for which full preparations are going on.

The six years  existence of AIBDPA has been fruitful and it has served the interests of the Pensioners as well as workers. It will continue to do so.

On this 6th Foundation Anniversary of AIBDPA, our Best Wishes and Greetings to all the BSNL DOT Pensioners, Friends and Comrades!

500 trade union organizations call for Demonstrations on October 22 and General Strike on November 12. Rallies of PAME will take place in dozens of Greek cities on Thursday, October 22, 2015 against the new wave of attack coming from the coalition Government of SYRIZA – ANEL. Against the abolition of the social character of Social Security, the extreme taxation to the people, the increase of the retirement age, the layoffs, the privatizations, etc. At the same time the forces of the class trade unions prepare a Strike Response on November 12. Till now 500 trade unions, students, self employed, women, and small farmers’ associations have joined the call of PAME. Rallies have been announced.

We fully support the struggle of the Greek Workers!

Τhe World Federation of Trade Unions was represented in the 21st Congress of Greek Pensioners by Valentin Pacho Quispe, WFTU Deputy General Secretary and Quim Boix,  General Secretary of TUI Pensioners. Both delegates addressed the Congress.

‘A large number of languages, 1600 dialects and several religions exist in India. We have a Constitution that accommodates all these differences.’ ‘Indian civilization had survived for 5,000 years chiefly because of its tolerance and by accepting dissent and differences’. The statement of the President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee, is most relevant when acts of intolerance and inhuman attacks are being perpetrated by the Hindu fundamentalists.

Justin Trudeau has begun his first full day as Canada’s prime minister-designate after a dramatic federal election that ended the divisive reign of the Conservatives.

The son of former prime minister Pierre Trudeau and leader of the Liberal party won a surprise majority, taking 184 of the 338 seats in parliament with representatives in every province and roughly 40% of the popular vote.

After rousing his party from third in the polls to first place on voting day, Trudeau promised “sunny ways” for all Canadians. “This is what positive politics can do. This is what a positive, hopeful vision, and a platform and a team together can make happen,” he said in his victory speech.

Among his first tasks will be to assemble a cabinet, which he promised in campaigning would contain an equal number of men and women. Trudeau is expected to be sworn in before the G20 summit in Turkey, which starts on 15 November.

His victory speech omitted any mention of his flamboyant father who led Canada from 1968 to 1984, with one brief interruption. “In Canada better is always possible,” a hoarse but jubilant Trudeau told cheering supporters at Liberal headquarters in Montreal’s Queen Elizabeth hotel.

“Canadians from all across this great country sent a clear message tonight, it’s time for a change in this country, my friends, a real change.”